Highlighting 17 Influential Women in Construction for WICW 2023

As of 2022, the National Association of Women in Construction found that women only make up 10.9% of the American construction workforce. In Canada, only 13% of construction workers are female.

The percentage of female involvement in both countries is quite low when compared to other industries. Although these numbers have steadily increased, there is still work to be done to make careers in construction more accessible and inclusive for women. This is only possible if companies in construction put more emphasis on embracing equity.

In honor of International Women's Day and Women in Construction Week, we're highlighting the experiences and advice of 17 influential women in construction, who are all playing an active role in advocating for change. We asked each of them a few questions about their experiences as women in construction, what advice they would give and receive to those entering the industry, and how the industry as a whole can improve. These are their answers.

Missy Scherber

Missy Scherber works on the front lines of T.Scherber, an earthmoving and waste management company that she owns alongside her husband in Minneapolis, MN. Over the last ten years, T.Scherber has become a trusted specialty contractor that holds to its core value of 'Doing Dirty Jobs & Disposal Differently'. Missy has been an effective advocate for women in construction having been featured in prominent publications like USA TODAY, Grading & Excavation Magazine, CONEXPO/CONAGG, and Caterpillar Inc.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

I would say honesty. And genuine curiosity. Be honest with your capabilities, what you understand, and your core competencies as a woman in construction. Just to put that out on the table, and then to be genuinely curious about what you don't know.

People are typically quick to respect someone who's honest about what they can and can't do and then quick to help. The response to that honesty and genuine curiosity is mentorship and allyship and the help you need to grow your career and construction.

I've just had an extreme amount of success by always coming to the table with honesty and confidence in what I can do. On the other side, I'm honest and curious about what I can't do. That helps me with what I need to know and where I need to lean on the team to help me understand.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

I think it’s important to say that it is a male-dominated industry, which is a great thing. They've created a phenomenal industry for us to step into as women and grow our roles. What I have found is that men appreciate clarity and curiosity.

They're compelled to lean in and help navigate, but men are responsive to confidence, clarity, and also the curiosity of how you need them to lean in and help you. This is critical as 90% of our industry are men, men must be compelled to lean in and support us. And so I genuinely feel like we gain that trust by being confident and clear with what we can do and curious about what we can't do.

As for the second part, I’ve been told that it’s kind of just a part of who I am. I've just always been bold and brave and that's important in a space, where you're unexpected. I've developed the skills needed to build a successful career in construction with time.

My tendency is to want to be the hare, not the turtle, and to rush in the race. But one of the things that I learned from my husband who is also my business partner is that time is a gift in construction. All good things take time. I've invested more time in meeting with people and being mentored by men and women in the industry. The more time I've put into learning, the better my skills have gotten to build a successful career in construction.

The gift of time is on your side and I used to think I want to do this in five years in this and 10 years. And now I think I want to do this in 20 years and 30 years and 40 years because time is on my side. Then, the more time I invest in my career, the more I'm gonna learn the better it will be.

Our culture is so ATM transactional and so inundated with instant gratification and there are a lot of great industries where you get that. Construction is not one of them. Buildings take years to build, foundations take weeks to dig, and roads take years to pave. This industry is all about the long game and time.

I think the best advice is to understand and develop the skills you need to have a successful career in construction. Don't look for instant gratification. Look for the long game of investing in yourself, investing in others, and creating a long-term career in construction. Don't be dissatisfied after one month, one year, three years, or five years. Construction is a story. It's a long chapter book. And each chapter is really important to the overall story of building a successful career in construction.

How do you see the construction industry evolving in the coming years, and what opportunities and challenges do you foresee for women in this field?

Women have opportunities in every area of construction right now. I think our industry has done a good job of creating opportunities in the offices of construction companies in business development, marketing, estimating, project engineering, and project management coordination.

Where we have a ways to go is growing the role and opportunity for women in the field. And I think that's a much more complex challenge, especially when growing women's representation is limited because of the age-old societal expectation that many women and some men are primary caretakers for their families. And so their schedules and shifts might need to look different than what they've looked like in the past.

We have to ask hard questions when it comes to growing female representation in the field. Because of that societal expectation, is sunup to sundown a realistic shift? And really should that be the case with men as well who might want to be at the baseball game? Is that shift in expectation going to work?

We need to start to grow the bravery and boldness to ask how we get more women in construction in the field. What does that look like for them? The good news is other industries have figured it out and now it's just kind of looking at industries that have made progress over the last 10, 20, 30 years and then adopting some of those principles within our own industry of what that could look like.

I think Mary Katherine Harbin from Maymead is a great example. She built the first all-women's paving crew and was very successful at it and I did an interview with her on the ConExpo podcast. She said that as successful as they were, there were challenges that presented themselves once the job was done, and one of them was shifts and needing time to do daycare pickup. I think it's just as an industry starting to get bold and asking how it needs to adapt. We want this to work.

You can follow Missy on Instagram @missyscherber

Robin Thorne

Robin is the CEO of CTI Environmental Inc, a construction company specializing in demolition and abatement, along with safety and environmental compliance solutions. In addition to her full-time CEO position, Robin is also the founder of DemoChicks, a non-profit organization that educates young women about career opportunities in engineering, construction, and architecture. Every aspect of her work propels female involvement in the construction industry.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

I would tell women who are just getting started in construction to identify someone that they admire and respect and latch on to them. Build relationships. Relationships are extremely important in any industry, but you want to make sure that you're connecting with the right people, like people with integrity, people who care about other people, and people who don't see you as competition.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

Well, when I started at CTI fourteen years ago, the intention was not to be in construction. We started as an environmental health and safety consulting company and our focus was really on the general industry. But then I expanded and became a general engineering contractor licensed by the state of California, and that moved me into a different arena. So I always say it's the magic of saying yes. When an opportunity presents itself, you should say yes.

As a licensed contractor, that's when I started doing more in the construction industry because we provide abatement demolition and remediation services. I found that I've really enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to execute a client's project safely on time and without polluting the environment. And so I was just fascinated by that aspect of our business.

What motivates me to stay is that I want to do a great job. Only 10% of people in construction are women. I feel I have a responsibility to represent and succeed for those who are coming behind me or alongside me. That's what keeps me motivated.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

I think that it’s different for women in this industry, or in any industry. We’re mothers. It's not that we need crutches, but the reality of it is that our experience is different. We may need to take some time off for our children. I think that just being mindful of those differences as women, and also knowing that it's a new area for a lot of us.

There needs to be intentional development and nurturing of women who are entering this area. That's why I started our nonprofit DemoChicks. We introduce girls to nontraditional careers and empower the women in them. Because it's important.

Kathryn Coulter

Kathryn is a Senior Controls Specialist at JMP Solutions, an organization providing automation, robotics, control system integration, and security services. As a 442A certified Industrial Electrician who specializes in control system design, Kathryn is a strong representative of on-site female construction workers.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

I have two. The first is to make it a point to connect with other women in the field. If you don’t have female colleagues, join an association. It can be quite lonely to not have a woman to chat with about struggles. The second is to accept help from male colleagues. You may think they are offering help because you can’t handle it but likely they would offer a hand to a man in the same situation.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I took an electricity class in high school and my teacher approached me to ask if I had ever considered becoming an electrician. That simple comment sparked my interest and set me down this path.

My parents have always motivated me. At one time, I was working full-time and working toward my Bachelor of Technology degree in the evening. My employer approached me about starting my electrical apprenticeship, I thought there was no way I could do this at the same time but my dad encouraged me to go for it, so I did. It was tough to juggle but I feel such a sense of accomplishment.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

I’ve come to realize that women, in general, have a different approach than men. We work more relationally which can encourage a culture of caring. I think a big step companies can take is having open discussions about the experiences we have in the field to understand some of the day-to-day challenges that are faced. I’ve been in many facilities where there was no washroom for females nearby, my options were to walk to another building or have a man stand watch.

Angela Cacace

Angela is a carpenter, designer, and contractor located in the NC triangle area. She has a passion for remodeling work and started her business, A.Marie Design Build, where she creates seamless, quality remodel experiences focused on collaborative design and centered around excellent customer service.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

A piece of advice that I would give women getting started is to make sure they have the right tools for the job. Don’t be intimidated by the complexity of the tools or the size of the large machinery. Embrace the adventure and the learning process and have fun.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I was inspired to get into construction after a lifetime of always being interested in design and carpentry but never taking it seriously as a job option until winning an accolade from This Old House Magazine. My biggest motivation to succeed is knowing that this is what I want to wake up doing every day and that it’s up to me to ensure I have a place in the industry.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

Most challenges that I have faced have been around breaking the stereotype of what men expect me to say or do. I’ve overcome it by just being myself and embracing their shock when I show up in steel toes and my truck, knowledgeable and ready to do the work.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

The most important qualities are adaptability and persistence. There will always be something new to learn and there are always opportunities to do the next job better than the last. Keep at it and don’t get discouraged.

You can follow Angela on Instagram @tradieforlife

Jennifer Todd

Jennifer Todd's 15 years of experience in the construction industry includes her positions as the founder and president of LMS General Contractors and the founder of A Greener Tomorrow. Jennifer's career and educational service non-profit is committed to furthering female and minority representation in the industry. She was the youngest Black woman to obtain California's CSLB General Engineering (A) license and is an active public speaker.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction?

The best career advice I’ve received is to be open to possibilities. You never know where it will lead or who you will meet.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I fell into the industry and loved it! My biggest motivation is being able to provide skilled trades awareness and careers for other women and minorities.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenges I face are racism and sexism. I will never “overcome” being a Black woman, it’s who I am. In spite of the obstacles, I excel by being authentic, hardworking, and dedicated to partnering with great people.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction?

For any woman seeking to make a difference in the construction industry, I encourage you to advocate for yourself and others, exude confidence in all that you do, and lead from where you are.

Christabelle Izevbizua

Christabelle is a carpenter, woodworker, refinisher, custom furniture builder, and restorer. She founded her own business, Bellwood by Design, because of her passion for the trade.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

I would say don't be afraid to pursue it. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. You just have to go into it fearless and confident. There will always be things that you don't know because it's an environment where you're always learning. There are different people who have different techniques for doing things, so keep an open mind.

I know there's this word that we call mansplaining, and I've seen a lot of women use it, where a man is just simply trying to teach a woman a different way of doing something. Not every man is mansplaining. They're just trying to help in a positive way.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction?

I think it would be to just go for it. When I went to the technical school, I was the only girl in the class of nine. The rest were guys and my teacher was a guy, but he was very open to me as a woman and very excited to see me as a woman pursuing carpentry. And you know, he had a little pep talk for me and he said, "You know, just go for it. Don't let anyone try to stop you or try to talk you out of it. It's gonna be difficult, but you just have to keep going."

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

There's no deep story to it. I was a tomboy in high school and the school I went to offered woodwork and carpentry. Because I was a tomboy, I didn't want to take up any of the classes the girls were taking, so I just chose to go into woodworking. I did woodwork from grades 7 to 9 and then carpentry from grades 10 to 12. After high school, I went to a local technical college and pursued carpentry there.

The biggest motivation is honestly just the fact that there aren't a lot of women in the industry. So I want to be part of the reason that changes. I also want to inspire other women to pursue it. It's a male-dominated industry, so power to the women.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

Definitely confidence. It can be tough, being a female in a male-dominated industry. Once you know what you're doing, you need to be confident in that. Don't let anyone try to tell you that you don't know what you're doing if you know what you're doing.

You can follow Christabelle on Instagram @iamcbelle

Luana Buratynski

Luana has been involved in many facets of the construction industry from working sales at a rental company to her role now working for Northern Facades where she works with clients across North America providing solutions for fabricated architectural panel systems, specializing in the building envelope and exterior wall cladding industry.

She is also the president of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction which is dedicated to building the success of women in the construction industry.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

What inspired me to pursue a career in construction was the opportunity to be challenged in a role I was unaware existed before. I was grateful to my uncle to give me a chance to apply for an entry-level position at a large general contractor in 2009.

When I was hired, senior management took a chance on me, a freshly graduated business student to work as a document control coordinator on a large multi-million P3 (Public Private Partnership) project. This role gave me the foundation of construction documents and how to read plan drawings, review contracts, and procure for the trades. This experience laid a solid foundation for where I am today as a Technical Sales & Business Development worker at the Flynn Group of Companies.

My biggest motivation was the exposure to be part of amazing construction projects and the relationships with peers and mentors along the way which all supported my growth and made me who I am today.

How do you see the construction industry evolving in the coming years, and what opportunities and challenges do you foresee for women in this field?

The construction industry is constantly evolving. As the current President of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, one of my focuses is to ensure women are exposed to construction industry jobs they never knew were possible and learn the pathways for how to pursue a career in that specific field.

The main challenge for women right now is not being given access or offered a chance to apply to certain roles within a company and the opportunity to advance in a more leadership role within their organizations.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction?

The message I would like to give to women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction is to keep going! Learn to be strong and confident within your role and you will own your career.

Grow your network within and outside your company, join professional associations with your field of expertise, and get involved! It has made a huge in difference my career volunteering. I got access to new work opportunities and connections that allowed me to grow further.

Ashton White

Ashton White, more popularly known as @thatmasonrygirl, is a two-time SkillsUSA Masonry National Champion and social media influencer.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

You can do anything you want in this industry. You can be a laborer, brick mason, superintendent, heavy equipment operator, sales rep, architect… etc. You don’t have to be stuck in an office if you don’t want to. Do what makes you happy. Try different things. You never know where you’ll end up.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I took a masonry class in high school in my junior year and really enjoyed it. I decided to start competing in local, regional, state, and national competitions through SkillsUSA. I became the first female to win the SkillsUSA National Masonry Competition back to back in 2018 and 2019. It helped me decide that I wanted to pursue a career in construction because I realized I really liked the hands-on aspect and getting to see what I was building from start to finish. From there, I was motivated to succeed in the industry because I had proven I could do it.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

I’ve faced the challenges of people not taking me seriously, thinking that I can’t do something or just being sexist. I have proven them wrong by winning competitions, doing things to build my resume, graduating with my BS in Construction Management with a 4.0 GPA, and making connections with large companies that believe in me. I have a great support system in the industry so I always know I have a place and people that will be behind me 100% of the way.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

Knowing you’re not always the smartest person in the room and you can learn something new each day. Being able to do a variety of things because you never know where it may lead you. I’ve learned to be humble and take advice from others because there’s always room to improve and learn from someone who’s been in the trades longer than I have. You have to be motivated and willing to work hard in the trades because it’s a physically and mentally demanding field of work.

I’ve learned these things from competing, taking internships, and going to school for my BS in Construction Management. I’ve done many things like bricklaying, project management, social media and marketing, and sales. This has helped me grow and make myself more marketable to companies because they see I’ve done multiple things in different parts of the industry.

Alicia Brentzel

In 2012, Alicia Brentzel founded Brex Enterprises, an oil and gas company, with her husband, A.J. As President, Alicia has built a company that's grounded in safety prioritization, ingenuity, development, and family-oriented values. Her passion for her work and home families is evident in all of her contributions to the industry.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

Don’t shy away from the unknown. The opportunities are unlimited for women in construction, and there are many companies and individuals that can help guide your way.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

My husband, AJ. I may have been thrown into the industry, but I chose to make it my full-time career because of the opportunities for me, my family, and our employees. My biggest motivation for success is the same — my home and work family. Failure isn’t an option because we want to be able to provide a successful life for all our employees and their families.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

At first, my biggest challenge was finding a woman mentor. There weren’t a lot of local woman business owners I could turn to. Now, thanks to social media, I have quite a group of strong like-minded individuals around to help motivate and guide me — and it continues to grow still.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

The number one quality is to be your own biggest advocate. That goes for looking for jobs, wanting a promotion, and even finding a role model/mentor. The opportunities are endless, as long as you are willing to find and work them. We’ve had over 200 employees work for us through the last 10 years. The key to our most successful employees is that they are motivated to learn new things and continually want to be better.

Erin Stephenson

Erin Stephenson is the COO and Co-Founder of DOZR. Since founding DOZR in 2015, Erin has been leading operations of the construction tech company, solving challenges within the equipment rental industry. An advocate for women in technology and leadership, Erin prides herself on being a strong mentor within the technology, startup, and construction industries. Previously, Erin was recognized by Startup Canada with the Woman Entrepreneur Award, highlighting her commitment and expertise.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction? 

One of the best pieces of career advice I received when I started working in the construction field was to hire individuals who can bring something different to the table than you do. It’s important to focus on your strengths and not try to be a jack-of-all-trades. Lean into what you’re good at and then you can hire great people who can fill in the gaps. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry? 

The construction industry, at its core, is very entrepreneurial and is filled with entrepreneurs of all kinds. For me, it was the family business we started that allowed us to be entrepreneurs. We were able to leverage the skills and education each of our family members had to make an impact in the space. From our original business - Forestell Designed Landscapes - we realized we had so much equipment which we could rent out but had no way of connecting with the individuals who may be able to make use of it. This made us realize there was an opening in the construction market in which we could solve our problem and make an impact. That impact is one of the main things that keeps me motivated - knowing how DOZR can constantly help individuals succeed.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction? 

It may sound cliche but working in construction is a really rewarding profession. More and more now we see women joining the field and helping it grow. It’s an industry that can benefit from having diverse perspectives and points of view brought to the table. Being a woman in the construction industry myself, I’ve found that I bring a unique perspective to our business and many of the women I work with do as well.

There is so much value in having a range of various backgrounds and knowledge that is appreciated by many companies in the industry. Find a company that values diversity and recognizes the value of it that you as a woman can bring.

Natasha Ferguson

Natasha Ferguson is the founding partner of Ethelfox Construct Group, a group of companies that creates and builds functional and luxurious indoor and outdoor aesthetics and spaces for residential homeowners. This includes indoor renovations, landscaping, roofing, and demolition. She is also the Founder of A Women's Work, a nonprofit organization that supports women in the trades.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I was exposed to the trades that are really young age by my father. He's a tradesman and is eighty years old and still doing the trades. He's definitely my biggest inspiration.

Another reason for pursuit was to change the narrative about the industry as it pertains to the opportunities that lie in the construction industry. But also just changing the overall narrative about women in the industry and about skilled trades.

This includes the stereotype that blue-collar work is for people who are not intelligent and couldn't get into university or college. I'm here to tell you I was a part of the corporate industry for many years, and now I'm a part of this industry and there's a lot more work and brain work involved in this industry than in corporate.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

I faced challenges when I was trying to get a job in the industry as a site manager and as a manager on-site. Besides my management skills, I have trades under my belt as well, but it was still difficult to find work and get people to take me seriously. The way that I sort of alleviated that was by changing my mindset.

The reason why I say that is for so long I was upset about what was going on in the industry. I had come from another industry where I was discriminated against as well. So one of the things that I had to do was to change my mindset and really think about what I had to offer the industry.

I had a lot to offer, so that was easy. It was easy for me to get out of thinking that I couldn't do this. Opening up my company and deciding to go off on my own was one of the best decisions. I'm glad I did because now I'm one of the only women who are in this industry doing what I'm doing and running this type of business.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

As women, our ability to nurture and organize is one of the top things that we’re really good at. We can multitask. I think there is a level of organization and communication that women can bring to the table. Because that's what I'm doing every day at work, with my family, and my children, so I think that what we have to offer is what we do on a daily basis. That level of multi-tasking, organizing, and communication is something that can be missed with our male counterparts. So I think that's something that we're going to be able to bring in.

I think that in order for us to change the narrative and that gender bias, it starts with us as women changing our mindset. We can't expect an entire industry to change for us. I think that's really far-reaching. I think once you change your mindset and women change their mindset and open their minds to the possibilities, then you know automatically people are just going to start to see that this is possible for me.

For instance, I inspire people on a daily basis when I meet women or even men, and they're just shocked about the fact that I've been able to start something like this and that I'm running a successful business. It's sort of where that spark of inspiration starts. Because I was able to kind of tunnel through, people are going to see that and they're going to want to do the same thing.

It inspires them to come away from that fear or doubt in themselves. So I think that's why we need more leaders. We definitely need more leaders and the mindset definitely needs to change among the women in the community.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction?

Educate yourself. It's not just about learning about a trade. It's about educating yourself about the industry as a whole, where it was, where it is now, and where it's going. Being able to look at it from an aerial view and see “where do I fit?”.

In this industry, there are a lot of changes being made and there's a lot of support given to this industry. It's a multi-billion-dollar industry. I think educating ourselves on that would be one of the things that I started with. That’s why I love this industry so much.

Another message I'd give is don't give up. Construction can be for everybody. Remember that in the corporate world, there are only a few jobs or positions. But in the construction world, there are so many different jobs that you can do. For example as a carpenter, you can do finished carpentry, you can do rough carpentry floors, roofing, and framing. That's just under carpentry.

There are just so many opportunities. Don't doubt yourself. You can always start from somewhere and this is a career that you can pick up at any time in your life.

Stefanie Coleman

Stefanie Coleman has been in the construction industry for almost 20 years. Focusing primarily on the home building sector, Stefanie was the co-owner of a professional residential renovator company for 13 years. She was also the president of the Canadian Home Builders' National Association for two years. She is now the Chief Sustainability Officer for Doug Tarry Homes.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

My advice to women getting started in the construction industry is to find a topic or skill you want to be an expert in and learn absolutely everything you can about it. Become the subject matter expert in that particular topic or skill. It will set you apart and provide you with the opportunity to lead in that area.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

I have experienced a range of challenges working within the construction industry like snarky or inappropriate comments, the questioning of my expertise and why I have certain opportunities, and even bumping into glass ceilings. However, I have also experienced incredible inclusion and acceptance and had the privilege to serve as the Canadian Home Builder’s Association’s National President for 2019-2020, the 3rd female president in the 80-year history of the organization.

I overcome these challenges by continually educating myself about issues that are critical to the industry and learning everything so that I can contribute in a meaningful way. I share this knowledge freely with the industry so they can also be informed on critical, new issues that are coming down the path (e.g. building science, climate change, carbon reduction, building code, sustainability, etc.). When I am challenged or questioned, I respond from a place of knowledge and facts.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

Women play a crucial role in shaping the future of the construction industry. Interestingly, the finance industry (investors, etc) is increasingly interested in seeing a diversity of gender and ethnicity in corporations' senior leadership, including executives and board of directors, as well as throughout the workforce. There have been studies to show that diverse companies outperform non-diverse companies.

Women bring a different perspective that can help companies appeal to broader audiences. When it comes to new homes and renovations, women are the primary decision-makers. Therefore, having women at all levels of senior leadership and through the entire workforce can help the new homebuilding or renovation company make decisions that consider a woman’s viewpoint and appeal to their customers.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction?

As mentioned previously, what I have found to be most effective to break barriers and make a difference in a male-dominated industry is to become very knowledgeable on topics or issues that are critically important to the industry and to share that knowledge with others to help the industry evolve and transition.

Amanda Kurt

As Vice President and Managing Partner of Kurk Inc, Amanda Kurt plays an active role in the concrete contracting company's operations. Using her background in structural engineering and construction industry experience that dates back to her childhood, Amanda's crew management and support skills help her family's business thrive.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

There is a path in the construction industry to achieve whatever success you want, as long as you're committed to putting in the work. Also, since it's for WIC Week, you can be a mother and work in construction and do both successfully.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction?

You have to make the time for the things that are a priority to you and that often means sacrificing something else. It's OK to say no to things that don't align with your values and OK to dedicate more time or work to things that do.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I have observed different parts of construction for my entire life. My father and his business partner started their construction company before I was born and my mom has worked in the industry for as long as I can remember. Some of my childhood memories include visiting job sites with dad after school pick-up.

I choose to attend school at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) to pursue a degree in structural engineering because it seemed like the best of the built world and the STEM world.

I have two motivations to succeed. First, just the overall chase and challenge of winning and succeeding. Second would be the impact of building the community - the people, the actual buildings, and the construction community as a whole.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

One thing that I think is really important is the ability to problem-solve. To step back, assess the situation, and make a plan to progress forward. I'm not certain that I am qualified to assess the path of developing this quality because as long as I can remember, it was just something I could do.

I am very effective under pressure and believe that if you're 80% sure you have the right solution, then you need to proceed down that path. That's not saying you won't need to reassess and reset your sails, but it starts the ship moving forward.

Another important quality that I am still learning is being an effective leader, including leading different types of personalities and making time to provide positive feedback. I recently completed a leadership development course and listen to different leadership podcasts to continue to hone my leadership skills. I think the effects of positive feedback are highly undervalued.

Follow Amanda on Instagram @itsamandakurt

Constance Rosado

Constance Rosado is a Senior Project Manager at Yellowstone Club, a Montana-based private residential community. In addition to project management, Constance is a trained architect who's worked as a designer and superintendent.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

This advice came from one of my very first mentors and it's advice that I started to give everyone: You need to understand what it means to be resourceful in the context of your field. What I mean by that is that you'll learn more by seeking out the answers and information yourself. There are many avenues to becoming the best in your field and you need to learn how to train and hone that skill.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction?

My very first boss in architecture told me that it will take 10 years to become an architect whether you are licensed or not. It was 6 years later when I knew exactly what he meant. Great things take time. You're not going to figure it all out in one day or one year.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

I can speak from a very personal level on how I developed them. The first was, and maybe it was being an architect, the focus on detail and working with those details to make a big picture and making sure it all comes together. Sometimes you can get bogged down in the details and forget the big picture. The dichotomy of those two pieces and figuring out how they fit together is what ultimately leads to success.

The second is hard work. I feel like I really paid my dues in my career. It took lots of late nights to get me where I am and I believe in putting in the work to get where you want to be. That will get you to a level you never thought existed.

The last is developing your people skills and knowing how to get along will all types of people. There are so many different kinds of people and archetypes. That makes it fun and challenging, but it also makes you appreciate people for who they are and where they're going. Those conversations really add to your value and the ability to understand and work with people.

How do you see the construction industry evolving in the coming years, and what opportunities and challenges do you foresee for women in this field?

Speaking to the woman side, I think there is a shift away from focusing on women as "women in construction" and rather just looking at them as people who are really good at their job. At the beginning of my career, there was a fear of being the only woman in a meeting full of men. Now there's less focus on that and it's more about accepting people that are good at their jobs. And that's typically based on their talent or whether they're a good fit for their company.

As for how the construction industry is evolving, I think there's a lot of room to move around and find a fit for your skill and knowledge set. There's a ton of flexibility to get into areas that allow you to develop skills that you might be lacking. Those difficulties and taking the hard route can be really character-building. Role and responsibility diversity is as important as anything else. It adds so much value to the conversations and projects that we're all trying to build.

Vicki O'Leary

Vicki started her career in the field in 1985 as a Journeyman Ironworker. She is the District Representative for Safety and Diversity and General Organizer at Ironworkers International. She's made several contributions to female construction workers, including spearheading her anti-harassment campaign and training called "Be that one guy" and successfully advocating for paid maternity leave for female ironworkers.

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction, and what has been your biggest motivation to succeed in this industry?

I don't know that I was inspired to go into construction, but it was a bet between me and my brother. I was working at a law firm and my brother was an apprentice ironworker and my dad was an ironworker. At the dinner table one night I was trying to have a conversation with my mother about what was going on at work and my brother kept interrupting.

An argument ensued and my brother turned to me and told me to shut up and that I can't do what he and my dad could do. After that t was game on. It was a challenge and I took it. And I have to say that once I got in, the idea of being independent and having that good paycheque and financial independence was what kept me there. So what started off as a bet ended up really helping me in the long run.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

Women belong in every aspect of the construction industry. From the board room to the job site to the shop floor. We need to step up and make coordinate efforts to hire and retain women. And by addressing the lack of diversity in leadership and by hiring and promoting women and people of color, you can launch your company ahead by leaps and bounds in improving the culture for the future.

How do you see the construction industry evolving in the coming years, and what opportunities and challenges do you foresee for women in this field?

Quite frankly, looking ahead, I envision building a construction industry with job sites that embrace diversity. I see gender equity with men and women working together, side by side. I see new workers learning the trade from the previous generation. I see workers looking out for each other.

It's our responsibility to pass the torch onto the next generation and it's in better shape than when we got it. And it's really time to create an industry where all workers who want to work with their hands are welcomed and embraced. We need to make it our purpose that all of us go home at the end of the day intact, and the Ironworkers union is working towards making that our legacy.

Finally, what message would you like to share with other women who are aspiring to break barriers and make a difference in male-dominated fields like construction?

Showing up is breaking the barrier. Working hard every day is breaking the barrier and breaking stereotypes. The generation coming into the field is the first to have visible mentors who blazed the trail before them. To the new generation, look to those mentors.

Be active and engaged and get involved in your union. Go to meetings and picnics. Seize every opportunity to network and make yourself visible.

Our industry is only as strong as we make it. And for those in my generation, I always say "each one, reach one". Go back and mentor and teach the new ones the things we wish someone would have taught us. Give a realistic picture of the issues but also be a positive force for change.

The construction industry of today is not the construction industry of yesterday and there's an urgent need for workers and a push for a more diverse workforce. Cultivating the tradeswomen of tomorrow is a win-win.

Barb Allen

Barb spent 20 years in the field working her way from Carpenter to Superintendent before moving into office roles that included Pre-Construction Manager, Project Executive, and Director positions on both the General Contractor and Developer sides of the business. In 2022 she founded Levocity and now offers to coach, consult, and speak to those wanting to leverage their curiosity for personal and/or organizational growth.

What is a piece of advice you'd give to women just getting started in construction?

I would say "you got this". After that, I'd tell them to utilize their resources and find mentors and allies that will help them throughout their careers.

What is the best piece of advice you received in your career in construction?

To be honest, I wish I had received more advice. As a woman that was getting started in the industry over 30 years ago, I was kind of on my own.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?

One challenge was trying to become "one of the guys" while simultaneously and inadvertently separating myself from the women in the industry. And I overcame that when I was requested to join NAWIC and was forced to interact with other women in the industry and it truly changed the trajectory of my career.

Another challenge was realizing that some of the challenges were unnecessary. I came in at a time when I expected to be the only woman and I expected adversity and I expected certain behaviors, and I learned to deal with them or overlook them over time. That made me realize that our expectations should be way higher.

Nowadays, instead of helping figure out how women can overcome or deal with problems, we need to fix them. There shouldn't be expectations to be treated poorly and disrespectfully.

To use a football analogy that might help communicate what I mean, it's one thing to teach a receiver to catch a bad pass, but we need to teach the quarterback to throw better passes. In the same way, instead of teaching women to adapt to the conditions of the industry, we need to get the industry to change.

What role do you believe women can play in shaping the future of the construction industry, and how can companies and organizations better support and promote gender diversity in this field?

For the first part, I think it is through educating our male counterparts about gender-specific struggles and creating effective allies that will help make the changes necessary.

For the second part, companies and organizations can invest in training that educates their male leadership and teams on effective allyship for the women in their organization. And there's a difference between allyship and effective allyship. Allyship is backstage while effective allyship is the front stage.

What happens in our industry is mostly backstage support. For example, you're in a meeting and a woman speaks up and says "this is what we need to do". After the meeting, a man comes up and says they totally agreed with her. Front-stage allyship is when they're in a meeting and the male colleague speaks up and shows support publicly, even when it's uncomfortable. Effective allyship means getting women recognized and respected in public.

What women learn really early on in the industry is that they have to stand up for what they believe in. If they don't stand up, they will be run over. Men often have their authority given to them and don't have to stand up for themselves as much because it's just innate.

Jessica Madrigal

Jessica is the President and Owner of Bjork Construction Company, a union, award-winning, certified woman-owned General Contractor and Carpentry Sub-Contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What do you think are the most important qualities for success in the construction industry, and how have you developed these qualities over time?

Over the last 20 years, the construction industry and its processes have advanced considerably. Success in this industry requires a natural curiosity and a commitment to ongoing education and training based on the ever-changing requirements of the industry. When I first entered the construction arena, I was timid but inquisitive. Getting out from behind my desk and immersing myself in the trade via field visits, industry events, and classes afforded me the ability to meet people, ask questions and learn from veterans of the industry. Ultimately, I gained the confidence and knowledge necessary to maneuver in this fast-paced and challenging industry. I am now at the point in my career where I am able to pay it forward and share what I have learned with others. I continue to learn and grow every day, and proudly mentor other women in construction. The secrets to success? Get out into the world, ask questions, listen, learn, and pay it forward!

Embracing Equity

The theme for the 2023 International Women's Day is #EmbraceEquity which is summarized by the following quote: "people start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action."

These testimonials have shown that continuing to create a space for women in construction starts with embracing equity and taking the actions required to do so.

Every woman we've interviewed has started the conversation about cultural expectations, employment opportunities, shift times, accessible washrooms, and other issues women working in construction experience. They are the trailblazers for embracing equity.